Pro Tip: Don’t buy a phone or smartwatch until September

The beginning of September is looking like a massively busy period, as the IFA trade show kicks off and almost every major mobile company has an event planned. Scores of smartphones and smartwatches will be announced here, and most will start shipping later in the month.

For this reason, right now is the worst possible time to buy a phone or smartwatch–wait until these releases are out of the way, and then reap the benefits of lower prices or newer devices on the market in late September and October.

Don’t believe me? Just have a look at what’s coming in September:

Smartphones*

Samsung are releasing the Galaxy Alpha and the Galaxy Note 4. Motorola are releasing the Moto X+1 and Moto G2. Sony are releasing the Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact. Nokia are releasing the Nokia Lumia 530, 730 and 830. HTC are releasing the One M8 with Windows and the J Butterfly. Chinese companies Meizu and Huawei are releasing the MX4 and Ascend Mate 7, respectively. Sharp are releasing the Aquous Crystal. Most importantly of all, Apple are releasing at least one new iPhone, the iPhone 6.

Smartwatches

September looks equally busy for smartwatches. Motorola are the biggest confirmed players here, with the eagerly anticipated Moto 360 set to launch. ASUS and LG have also teased new smartwatches for IFA, while Sony are rumoured to also be showing a watch at the event. Apple are the wildcard here–it’s not known if they’ll announce the iWatch at their September 9th event, but if they do then it’ll be massive.

September 3rd

September 4th

September 9th

Apple (iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Air)

Signing off

September is going to be an awesome time for mobile fans, and there’s only one way to ruin it: by purchasing a smartphone or smartwatch just before its successor is announced. Wait if you can, and you’ll find cheaper smartphones or newer models in a matter of weeks. My recommendation? iPhone 6 or Galaxy Note 4. But don’t decide now – there will be a lot of excellent choices in the weeks to come!

*Not all of these phones will see European releases – the One M8 with Windows and Aquous Crystal have been announced for US markets. The J Butterfly and Aquous Crystal are launching in Japan. The MX4 and Ascend Mate 7 will launch in China. Still, it’s possible to import these phones.

A release date somewhere around the Note 4 would make sense, but most coverage of the Nokia event coming soon only mention to the two mid-range phones. Still, the 1525 could potentially make an appearance…

Never knew this. Good knowledge sharing here! I think Motorola will steal the show here (among the true mobile nerds at least), and hold onto it even after the other releases to follow in the fall, just my bold prediction.

This is a difference between British and American English; for British English it is usual to use plurals for organisations. This is a British site, so I try to adhere to British standards. Please see the other comment for more details!

I did not know that, I learned something today! I apologize for being rude!

Brandon G

You used “are” instead of “is” after every company you mentioned that is releasing a new phone. Sony is a single company. You wouldn’t say, “Sony are a single company.” So, it should read as, “Sony is releasing the Xperia Z3”.

Ah, this old chestnut! This is a difference between British and American English; in British English organisations are referred to using plurals, while in American English organizations (sic) are singular. As this website is based in the UK, I try to use British standards wherever possible. Of course, I don’t always succeed – I’ve been educated in both America and the UK, so I do get things confused from time to time.

Anyway, thanks for the kind response and I hope this clears up the matter for you.

Peter Blanco

Forgive me if I’m wrong, but the way I read everything it appears you’re not a native English speaker. You used the incorrect articles (plural instead of singular) after the company names for example. “Motorola are…Sony are…Nokia are… HTC are…” when you said Meizu and Huawei are, that’s proper. Just be cautious that and you should be fine!